Drain Pan Guard

ABSTRACT

A drain guard is configured to block debris from entering a drain line of an HVAC unit. The guard includes a hollow body having a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side defining an internal volume. A lip extending outward from a ridge formed at the convergence of the front side and the back side subsequently extends downward and parallel to the back side. The gap made between the back side and the lip may act as a receiving section for a sidewall of a drain pan so that the device may be stabilized. For further stabilization, cutouts are positioned in the back side and lip of the device so that a drain pipe connected to the drain pan may be seamlessly positioned adjacent the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a drain protector for home and residential HVAC systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to protection of piping or other fluid flow systems in residential and commercial building structures. For example, this invention can relate to a residential or commercial air conditioning systems used to produce cold air, condensation builds up in the system and drains through a series of tubes to an outlet located on the building's exterior. Most drainage pipe systems are comprised of copper or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) piping. Most common, a draining system is connected to a unit evaporator coil, where the draining system is used to remove water that is regularly produced during operation of the air conditioning through the condensation process.

A condenser in an HVAC system usually includes an inside unit containing a cold evaporator coil designed to cool air as the air passes over the coils. Condensation, water droplets, form on the evaporator coils, and the condensation collects by dripping off the coils and into a drain pan.

The liquid (e.g., water) produced from the condensation is often in such quantities that it must be constantly removed, and often is drained through a pipe, “drain line,” which transports the water from the point of condensation to a terminal pipe, or drainage pipe, protruding from the side of the building, whereby the water runs freely out of the end of the pipe. Problems often occur, however, with an open-ended pipe protruding from the building. For example, small insects and animals can enter the pipe and build nests or otherwise cause the piping to be clogged. Moreover, during drainage, debris in the drain pan can travel to the drain line and cause a clog. Current unclogging techniques include the use of highly concentrated chemical washes as well as plumbing snakes and augers, each of which can be difficult to perform and harmful to the water draining system.

Accordingly, a need exists for a device to prevent clogging in HVAC and other air conditioning drainage systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed subject matter provides a drain guard configured to block debris from entering a drain line of an HVAC unit. The guard includes a hollow body having a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side defining an internal volume. A lip extending outward from a ridge formed at the convergence of the front side and the back side subsequently extends downward and parallel to the back side. The gap made between the back side and the lip may act as a receiving section for a sidewall of a drain pan so that the device may be stabilized. For further stabilization, cutouts are positioned in the back side and lip of the device so that a drain pipe connected to the drain pan may be seamlessly positioned adjacent the device.

An HVAC unit drainage system is provided for filtering condensate formed on a condenser of an HVAC unit. The system includes an HVAC unit having a condenser, a drainage pan positioned below at least a portion of the condenser, and a cover device for impeding debris approaching a drain pipe of the drainage pan that may be seamlessly positioned adjacent the drain pipe and the drainage pan. The cover device may comprise a hollow body having a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side defining an internal volume. A lip extending outward from a ridge formed at the convergence of the front side and the back side subsequently extends downward and parallel to the back side. When in this configuration, the cover device may simultaneously allow flow of condensate into the drain through the cover device and impede debris approaching the drain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purpose of example, not for purpose of limitation.

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a back lower perspective view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a back view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts a first side view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a front side view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view of the drain pan guard, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 8 depicts a drain pan guard disposed in an emergency drain pan, as shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The drain guard 2, or cover device 2, is intended to be positioned within a drain pan 40 or emergency drain pan of an HVAC unit (not depicted) such that the drain guard 2 engages or is otherwise coupled to the drain pan 40 to prevent debris from entering the drain line 36. The term “drain pan” as used herein generally refers to the emergency drain pan, unless indicated otherwise. The drain pan 40 generally includes a drain pan body; most are square or rectangular in shape and contain a 1- or 2-inch sidewall, or lip, so that the drain pan can retain a predetermined volume of water. A drain line 36 extends from a drain port (not depicted), usually a circular cut out in the sidewall 42 of the drain pan 40, and usually includes a length of PVC pipe extending from the drain pan 40 to the exterior of the building structure. It is the intention of the drain guard 2 to prevent large debris (in relation to the size of the holes and/or the drain line 36 inner diameter) from entering the drain line 36 when fluid is flowing from the drain pan 40 into the drain line 36.

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a drain guard 2 and FIG. 2 depicts a back lower perspective view of the drain guard 2. The drain guard 2 can include a generally elongated body having an internal volume. The body of the drain guard 2 can include a plurality of sides, including a front side 4, a back side 22, a first side 8, a second side 14, and an open bottom. Referring to FIG. 1, The front side 4, first side 8, and second side 14 may each include a ridged surface having one or more holes 6 disposed therethrough. As shown, the surfaces 4,8,14 include a plurality of relatively small holes 6 defining mesh or screened portions of the surfaces 4,8,14. The screen or mesh portions of the surfaces 4,8,14 can be or includes holes 6 of various sizes.

The front surface 4 may be curved such that it extends from the bottom surface/edge of the drain guard 2 to converge with the back side 22 about a top ridge 10, forming a top covering for drain guard 2. In other embodiments not shown, the front surface 4 can have a different shape so long as its shape maintains structural integrity and provides a surface area having several holes 6. With the front surface 4 shown to be the largest surface, it is intended to provide a surface having many holes 6, which can include one or more screened surface portions, such that if some of the holes 6 are blocked or clogged by debris, other holes 6 are likely free from blockage to allow for the flow of fluid therethrough. In the event that all of the holes 6 of the front surface 4 are blocked or clogged by debris, the holes 6 on the first and second sides 8,14 can provide opportunity for fluid flow.

In alternative embodiments, the drain guard 2 may comprise a back surface 22 and one or two sidewalls/surfaces (as opposed to having a front surface 4, a first surface 8, and a second surface 14). In the configuration in which the drain guard 2 includes only one surface besides the back surface 22, the surface may define an internal volume of the drain guard 2 by extending from one surface edge of the back surface 22 extending outward from the back surface 22, and wrapping around to meet the opposite surface edge of the back surface 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drain guard 2 can include the back side 22 having a rigid surface. A lip 12 can extend from the top ridge 10, extending outward for a short portion and then extending downward and substantially parallel with the back surface 22, forming a gap 30 therebetween. It is noted that the term “substantially” may include any deviation of parallelism between lip 12 and back surface 22. For example, even if the back side 22 includes an angle of indention extending from the convergence of the back side 22 with the front side 4 down to the outer edge of rim 16 that is minimal (a few degrees), the lip 12 and the back side 22 may still be considered to be parallel.

The inner surface of the lip 12 and the back surface 22 form contact surfaces for engaging a sidewall 42 of the drain pan 40 at the drain port or drain line 36. Most HVAC drain lines include a length of PVC pipe attached or coupled to the drain port in the side wall 42 of the drain pan 40. The back surface 22 can include a cutout portion 32 to accommodate a connector and/or conduit 36 on the interior wall of the drain pan 40 and/or to accommodate the drain port in the sidewall 42 of the drain pan 40. Similarly, the lip 12 can include a cutout portion 34 to accommodate the drain pipe/conduit 36 on the side wall 42 of the drain pan 40. The term “accommodate” as used in reference to the cutouts 32/34 means “to provide a space in the surface of the lip 12 and back side 22 for the drain components be disposed; or, in other words, providing a region in which the components of the drain guard 2 do not negatively interact with the components of the drain pan 40, drain port, and drain line 36.

The bottom side of the drain guard 2 can be or can include an open portion of the drain guard 2, having little or no rigid surface. The bottom side is intended to rest on the bottom surface of the drain pan 40. As such, the base rim 16 contacts the bottom surface of the drain pan 40 such that debris is restricted from getting under the drain guard 2. It is noted that the bottom edge of the back side 22 is offset from the remaining bottom edge of the body (the base rim 16). This may not only reduce material costs, but may also increase ease of installation on a drain pan 40 and sidewall 42. In other embodiments, the bottom side of the drain guard 2 can include a rigid material which may or may not have holes 6 or screen features.

FIGS. 3 through 7 depict various side views of the drain guard 2. As shown in FIG. 5, gap 30 may be shown tapering in width as it extends upward toward an apex of the drain guard 2 adjacent the ridge 10. This may occur due to the slight angled position of the back side 22. Because of this configuration, not only may positioning the sidewall 42 within gap 30 be easier, but gap 30 may also be able to accommodate sidewalls 42 of different thicknesses and dimensions.

FIG. 8 depicts the drain guard 2 in context, namely, disposed in the drain pan 40 at the drain line 36 shown as part of an HVAC unit drainage system 50 (HVAC unit not depicted). As shown, the lip 12 of the drain guard 2 is disposed about the outer surface of the sidewall 42 and the back side 22 of the drain guard 2 is disposed about the inner surface of the sidewall 42. Though not specifically shown, FIG. 8 indicates that the cutouts of the back side 22 and of the lip 12 are positioned over the drain port and the drain line 36. When drain guard 2 is properly positioned, a majority of a bottom edge of the body (bordered by the rim 16) is positioned seamlessly with the bottom interior of the drainage pan 40 when the drain guard 2 is seamlessly positioned adjacent the drain port/pipe entrance. In addition, drain guard 2 may extend into the drainage pan 40 and away from the entrance/port of the drain pipe 36 so as to create a volume of space around the drain port to decrease the likelihood for debris to block the flow of condensate into the drain pipe 36.

During use with an HVAC system, the emergency drain pan 40 is usually placed under the condensation unit in the attic of a residential building. While the condensation unit has its own drain line, that drain line may become clogged such that fluid cannot sufficiently flow through. If the main drain pan 40 fills, it could overflow into the HVAC's emergency drain pan 40. The emergency drain pan 40 is intended to be used only in a situation where the main drain pan 40 is unable to drain condensation properly. As a result, the emergency drain pan 40 can go years without fluid entering the drain pan or passing through the drain line 36. It is sometimes the case that attic debris, such as dust, insulation, animal fur, droppings, etc., gets into the emergency drain pan 40. Then, if the pan 40 is needed and water overflows from the drain pan 40 and into the emergency drain pan 40, the debris is directed to the drain port and drain line 36. If the debris blocks the drain port or clogs the drain line 36, liquid can fill and overflow the emergency drain pan 40, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage to the building structure. The drain guard 2, when properly positioned in the emergency drain pan 40, can prevent any debris from reaching the drain port or drain line 36. The relatively large surface area of the drain guard 2 and feature of multiple holes 6 or screens on a plurality of sides 4,8,14 of the drain guard 2 prevents the debris from clogging the drain guard 2. This ultimately allows fluid to flow from the emergency drain pan 40 through the drain line 36 until a technician can correct the problem with the overflow of the main drain pan 40.

In embodiments, the drain guard 2 may be made of one or more of the following materials: polymer (plastic, plant material, wood, leather, etc.), ceramic, metal, and composite material. In other embodiments, a majority of the body of the drain guard 2 may comprise polymer. More specifically, polymers may include, but are not limited to polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and PVC.

In one embodiment, the distance from the front of the rim 16 adjacent the bottom of the front side 4 to the exterior surface of the lip 12 is 2.5 inches in length, the distance from the top of the lip 12 to the apex (ridge 10) is 2.13 inches, the distance from the end of the lip 12 on the first side 8 to the end of the lip 12 on the second side 14 is 6.25 inches, the distance from the ridge 10 to the bottom of the lip 12 is 1.38 inches, the distance from the bottom of the lip 12 to the top of the rim 16 is 0.21 inches, the width of the drain guard 2 (thickness of the first/second sides 8,14 from the end of the lip on the front side 4 to an axis extending from the convergence of the front side 4 and the back side 22 and running parallel to the lip 12) is 2.17 inches, the width of the lips 12 of the first and second sides 8,14 are 0.14 inches, the width of the lips 12 of the front side 4 is 0.18 inches, the height of the lips 12 of the front, first, and second sides 4,8,14 are 0.13 inches, the angle of indention of the back side 22 extending from the convergence of the back side 22 with the front side 4 down to the outer edge of rim 16 is 2 degrees, and the angle at which the first side 8 and the second side 14 are disposed (upward tapering of the length of the drain guard 2) is 5 degrees, respectively. It is noted that any single embodiment of the drain guard 2 may comprise one or more of the aforementioned dimensional aspects.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “guard”, “drain guard”, and “drain pan guard” may be synonymous.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “drain”, “drain pipe”, “drain line”, and “conduit” may be synonymous.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “ridge” and “top ridge” may be synonymous.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “side” and “surface” may be synonymous.

A plurality of additional features and feature refinements are applicable to specific embodiments. These additional features and feature refinements may be used individually or in any combination. It is noted that each of the following features discussed may be, but are not necessary to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of any of the embodiments presented herein.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods are described herein.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. 

I claim:
 1. A cover device for impeding debris approaching a drain, comprising: a body having an internal volume defined by a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side; a ridge defined by the convergence of the front side and the back side; a lip extending outward from the ridge, the lip further extending substantially parallel with the back side; and wherein at least one of the back side and the lip is configured to receive at least a portion of a conduit such that the body seamlessly rests on the conduit while water drains through the body and the conduit while debris approaching the conduit is impeded.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a majority of the body comprises polymer.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the back side is offset from a remaining bottom edge of the body.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an open bottom.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the front side extends in a curved configuration to converge with the back side to define a covering.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front side, the first side, and the second side comprises a plurality of holes defining a screened portion.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the back side and the lip comprises a cutout portion configured to receive the conduit.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein each of the back side and the lip comprises a cutout portion positioned parallel one another.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the lip and the back side define a gap for receiving a portion of a sidewall of a drain pan.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the gap tapers in width as it extends upward toward an apex of the device adjacent the ridge.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a continuous rim positioned at bottom edges of the front side, the first side, and the second side.
 12. An HVAC unit drainage system for filtering condensate, comprising: an HVAC unit having a condenser; a drainage pan positioned below at least a portion of the condenser; and a cover device for impeding debris approaching a drain pipe of the drainage pan, the cover device seamlessly positioned adjacent the drain pipe entrance and the drainage pan, the cover device comprising: a body having an internal volume defined by a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side; a ridge defined by the convergence of the front side and the back side; and a lip extending outward from the ridge, the lip further extending substantially parallel with the back side; and wherein the cover device simultaneously allows flow of condensate into the drain through the cover device and impedes debris approaching the drain.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein a majority of a bottom edge of the body is positioned seamlessly with a bottom interior of the drainage pan when the cover device is seamlessly positioned adjacent the drain pipe entrance.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the cover device is positioned on the drain pipe and drainage pan such that at least one of the lip and the back side sit atop the drain pipe via cutouts and a sidewall of the drainage pan is secured between the lip and the back side.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the body of the cover device extends into the drainage pan and away from the entrance of the drain pipe so as to create a volume of space to decrease the likelihood for debris to block the flow of condensate into the drain pipe.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the front side extends in a curved configuration to converge with the back side to define a covering.
 17. A drain guard for blocking debris from entering a drain pipe of a drainage pan, comprising: a hollow elongated body, the hollow body comprising an unperforated back side, at least one perforated side defining an internal volume and affixed to the back side, and an open bottom; a ridge defined by the convergence of the back side and at least one of the at least two perforated sides, the ridge defining an apex of the guard; a lip extending outward from the ridge, the lip further extending substantially parallel with the back side and forming a gap with the back side for retention of a sidewall of a drainage pan between the lip and the back side, the lip extending the length of the unperforated back side; a plurality of cutouts positioned within the lip and the back side for receiving the drain pipe, the plurality of cutouts increasing the stability of the drain guard when the drain guard is placed in a drainage pan; and wherein the body of the cover device is configured to extend into the drainage pan and away from an entrance of the drain pipe so as to create a volume of space to decrease the likelihood for debris to block the flow of condensate into the drain pipe. 